About Taaj

Taaj started belly dancing in 1995. A year later, her enthusiasm and talent allowed her to begin performing professionally and teaching. That same year, she and fellow dancer, Avanha, started Zaghareet! magazine and grew it into an internationally recognized and respected trade journal. By the time Taaj had been dancing four years, she added costume importer, workshop sponsor (20+ events), and troupe director to her list of accomplishments. At the end of her fourth year in dance, she also hit gold when she was asked to dance professionally in Egypt.

At that time, Taaj turned over the reigns of Zaghareet! to her student, Sharina, and trekked to Egypt! Upon her return, she was burned out on dance and took a well-deserved year off. Taaj decided that her return to dance would be devoted to teaching. Since she’d accomplished her dreams, she wanted to help other people do the same. Taaj began teaching workshops nationwide and developing her students into champions.

In 2002, she and Khaleela started the East Coast Belly Dance Classic. That first year, one of Taaj’s students placed second in the Rising Star (beginner) category. Each successive year, she produced more and more successful dancers, and in 2006 her students won a record breaking 17 trophies in three competitions.

Taaj is devoted to her students, but she still performs occasionally. In 2004, she opened for Egyptian pop star Hakim in Washington D.C. This year Taaj’s accomplishments in performance and instruction were recognized by Madison’s Who’s Who. She also won the Oasis of Color award, a people’s choice award. Taaj is one of the most well-rounded, experienced dancer around. She’s done it all and done it well. If you are considering hiring her for a performance, instruction or promotion, you can rest assured that what you will get is pure excellence.

Here’s what people are saying:

“Your break down of drum solo is the best I’ve ever seen. Can I borrow your technique?”~ Maya (Grand Champion winner of the 2004 East Coast Classic)

“Thank you also for sending me the book. (How to Position Yourself as the Obvious Belly Dance Expert and Double Your Income). It is, how shall I say, a masterpiece in the business of bellydance world. You really have tapped into something here which I’m certain you know by now. I will be sure to encourage the women I know in this business to consider taking a look at it. Your approach is paramount in so many ways. You are a true pioneer.” ~ Eshta

“Taaj is a Professional’s Professional. Most of the time skill sets don’t overlap—some people are excellent performers but terrible teachers; some great teachers are only solid, not fantastic, performers. And we all know people who are better marketers than they are either teacher or performer! But Taaj has it all. She is a superb dancer, one of the more thoughtful and phenomenal teachers I have encountered, AND she is truly professional—informed, articulate, organized, prompt, on top of everything and completely professional and classy in her approach to, and teaching of, business and marketing skills. She is one of a kind.” ~Shakira al Fanninah